Bachmann 31-927

Tooling

The Bachmann Branchline model of the GWR 2251 Class, commonly known as the Collett Goods, was first introduced in 1998. This tooling represented a significant upgrade over earlier Mainline and Replica Railways versions, offering improved accuracy and detail. The prototype locomotives, designed by Charles Collett and introduced in 1930, were versatile 0-6-0 tender engines used for light freight and secondary passenger duties across the GWR and later BR Western Region.

Tooling Features

• Scale: OO gauge (1:76 scale).
• Construction: Ready-to-run plastic bodyshell with separately fitted details, metal chassis, and die-cast components for strength.
• Detailing: Accurate cab and boiler fittings, rivet detail, separately applied handrails, and prototypical Churchward or Collett tenders depending on version.
• Couplings: Standard tension-lock couplers in NEM pockets.

Mechanical & Electrical

• Motor & Drive: Early versions (1998 tooling) featured a CAN motor with a smooth worm-and-gear drive to all driving wheels.
• Minimum Radius: Second radius curves (approx. 438 mm).
• Lighting: No factory-fitted lighting.
• Weighting: Die-cast chassis provided good traction for freight duties.

DCC Capability

• Initial 1998 releases were DCC compatible but not socketed, requiring hard-wiring for digital control.
• From 2007 onwards, the tooling was upgraded to include an 8-pin DCC socket, marketed as “DCC Ready.”

Liveries Produced

The tooling has appeared in a wide range of authentic liveries, including:

• GWR Green (pre-1947, including shirtbutton and post-war styles).
• BR Black with Early Emblem (circa 1949–1957).
• BR Lined Green with Late Crest (post-1957).

Reviews & Commentary

Upon release, the Bachmann 2251 was praised for its fine detailing and smooth running compared to earlier split-chassis models. Enthusiasts noted its accurate proportions and improved cab detail. Later DCC-ready versions were welcomed for easier digital conversion. Some early criticisms focused on limited cab interior detail and lack of factory weathering, which Bachmann addressed in later runs.

Media & Social Media

The model has featured in numerous YouTube reviews and running sessions, often highlighted for its reliability and suitability for branch line layouts. Preservation links, such as No. 3205 on the West Somerset Railway, have boosted its popularity among GWR modellers.

Interesting Notes

• The 2251 tooling bridged the gap between older split-chassis designs and modern DCC-ready standards in Bachmann’s range.
• Variants have included weathered finishes and different tender types to reflect prototype changes.

Class & Prototype

No prototype found.

Operator & Livery

British Railways transformed Britain's fragmented rail network into a unified national system following nationalisation on 1st January 1948. Created from the "Big Four" companies under the Transport Act 1947, BR operated most of Great Britain's railways until rebranding as British Rail in 1965, managing over 20,000 route miles and inheriting nearly 20,000 locomotives of diverse designs.

The organisation pioneered standardisation through its revolutionary BR Standard locomotive programme (1951-1960), producing 999 advanced steam engines under Robert Riddles' direction. These included the versatile Britannia Pacifics, mighty 9F freight engines, and mixed-traffic classes that incorporated the best features from all predecessor companies. The 1955 Modernisation Plan accelerated diesel and electric traction development, creating fascinating mixed-traction operations.

Notable achievements included establishing unified locomotive classification systems, introducing distinctive corporate liveries, and managing the complex transition from steam to modern traction. BR's six regional structure preserved operational diversity whilst enabling standardisation of practices, signalling, and rolling stock that had eluded private enterprise for over a century.

The BR era represents steam traction's final flowering alongside emerging diesel technology, creating unparalleled locomotive variety. Today, this heritage remains highly popular with railway enthusiasts through extensive preserved fleets, heritage railway operations, and comprehensive model ranges from manufacturers like Hornby, Bachmann, and Dapol, making BR subjects essential for authentic post-war British railway modelling across all scales.

British Railways' lined green livery continued for express passenger locomotives from 1956, painted in BS224 Deep Bronze Green (also known as Land Rover Deep Bronze Green) with orange and black lining, maintaining the prestigious finish for the railway's premier motive power. The livery was reserved for the most powerful express passenger classes, including Britannias, Castles, Kings, A4s, Merchant Navy Pacifics, and other premier locomotives rated for top-link express duties. From 1954 onwards, green became more widely adopted across the locomotive fleet, with some mixed-traffic engines also receiving the prestigious finish as regional freedom in livery matters increased following the 1953 Transport Act.

From mid-1956, these locomotives received the new "Lion and Crown" emblem (nicknamed the "Ferret and Dartboard"), a proper heraldic device registered with the College of Arms featuring a rampant lion emerging from a crown and holding a spoked wheel, all enclosed in a roundel with "British Railways" on bars either side. The emblem was positioned centrally on tender sides, with the heraldically correct lion facing left, though some locomotives initially received forward-facing applications during the transition period. Lettering and numbering remained in golden yellow Gill Sans Medium, maintaining the high-quality finish appropriate for express passenger duties. Regional variations in the shade of green occurred depending on which works applied the paint, the suppliers used, and the number of paint layers applied, creating subtle differences between locomotive classes and individual engines. This livery represented the final flowering of BR's steam-era corporate identity, combining technical excellence with heraldic dignity during the twilight years of express steam operations before the Rail Blue revolution of the mid-1960s.